Record tray



Aug. 4, 1931.

3 7. 7 1 1 by VA Am D w ER Filed Dec. 8, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet l awuemtoz E. W. DAVIS RECORD TRAY Aug. 4, 1931.

5 SheetSSheet 2 Filed Dec. 8, 192a .1 8% 34km M 22,;

E. W. DAVIS Aug. 4, 1 931.

RECORD TRAY Filed Dec. 8, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Aug. 4, 1931. E. w DAVIS RECORD TRAY Filed Dec. 8, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 anveutoz Aug. 4, 1931. E. w. DAVIS 1,317,073

" RECORD TRAY Filed Dec. 8. 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 IIIIIII'III.

nvento'c QWAMM Patented Aug. 4, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELMER W. DAVIS, OF NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS,

T REMINGTON RAND INC., OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF DELA- WARE RECO BI) TRAY Application filed December 8, 1928.

or the like.

Among other objects of the invention is the provision of an eXpansible tray having adjustable or telescoping base members wlth means to permit ready adjustment in the 19 length of the tray to accommodate different quantities of the record members and means to hold the telescoping members 1n ad usted position; also means to accommodate the J width of the tray to difierent widths of record members, and to permit lateral displacement of the record members to a predetermined extent for purposes of posting, etc.

Still other objects of the invention include b the provision of end members supported pivotally upon the base members so that the end members can be swung into inclined or upright position readily, to permit tilting the record members for ready consultation of the r, records, and to hold'the records compactly in upright position for storage, when not 1n use; also means to lock the ends in their de-' sired tilted and upright positions respectively; and the provision of handles by which ,the locking devices may be operated manual- "1y andby which the tray may be lifted conveniently for conveyance to and from the place for storage.

Additional objects will appear from the "accompanying drawings, in which Figure lis a view in perspective of a record tray in the construction of which this invention has been embodied. Figure 2 is a view in vertical section taken on a medial, longitudinal plane on the line 2-2 of Figure 4.

Figure 3 is a view in transverse vertical section on the line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a view in horizontal longitudinal section on the line 44 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a view in side elevation, partly injverticalsection, of a modification. V Figure 6 is a view in horizontal section on r the line 6-6 of Figure 5.

following description, appended claims, and

Serial No. 324,745.

Figure 7 is a view in end elevation of said modification with the face plate removed.

Figure 8 is a view in vertical section on the line 8-8 of Figure 6.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary detail View in section on the line 9-9 of Figure 6.

Figure 10 is a similar view on the line 10-10 of Figure 6.

Figure 11 is a vertical sectional View on the line 11-11 of Figure 7.

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference characters designate like parts, the reference characters 1 and 2 designate respectively base members formed of metal, preferably aluminum, and having upright side walls 3 and 3 with, inturned flanges 4 and 5 ofsuch proportions as to'fit snugly when the base members are assembled telescopically, as shown, whereby the base may be extended or contracted as desired to furnish a base of the proper length for any suitable quantity of record cards, folders or the like, the latter being massed in upright position with their lower edges resting on the flanges 4 and 5.

Preferably, the central space between the flanges is bridged by a falsebottom comprising two inverted channel-shaped members 6;

and 7 arranged to slide one above the other, so that record members which are not in a position to be supported by the flanges 4 and 5 will be supported at the same level by the members 6 and'7.

Various means may be provided for effecting the telescopic adjustment of the base members mechanically. In the drawings,

and especially Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, there is illustrated means to attain this purpose comprising a lead-screw 8 cooperating with threaded lugs 9 and 10 on the base members.

The screw has a squared end 11 adapted to receive akey 12 (see Figure 2) which may be inserted through a hole 13 in the end member 14 for the purpose of eflecting the desired adjustment.

At the outer ends of the base members 1 and 2 are provided end members 14 and 15 which are mounted pivotally at 16 and 16 respectively uponthe base members, whereby said end'members can be swung respectively around the pivots into an upright position, as shown at the right-hand side of Figure 2, or into an inclined position, as shown at the left-hand side of Figure 2, it being understood that the record members stacked therebetween can be tilted back against the end members when so inclined,

,for purposes of ready consultation.

In further pursuance of the invention means are provided for locking the endmembers in their several pos1t1ons,;and as a 7 23and connected operatively with the latch foot members are swung inwardly aboutthe. pivot 16, such movement disengages or cams 17 by a bolt 24 traversing apertured lugs 25 and 26 on the latch andhandle-slide respectively and a similar lug 29 on each end member. i 1

In order to hold the parts normally in position, a coil spring 27 surrounds each bolt 24 and is held under compression between the lugs 26 and 29, so that the tendency of the spring is to draw the foot 18 up against the stop pin 21. When the handle23 is depressed manually, the bolt 24 and latch 17 are also depressed and the foot. 18 drops away from the pin 21 permitting the end to be swung back until the foot portion having the shallow notch 19 is swung up into engagement with the stop 21.

In Fig. 2 the end 1% is shown in its angular or open position. To raise the end to its vertical position, the end and included latch and outthe shallow notch 19 from the stop 21 against the pressure of the spring 27. When the vertical position is reached, the stop 21 registers with the deep notch 20 of the; foot 18, and the tensed spring 27 immediately lifts the slide 22 and thelatch 17 and accompanying foot 18. Such movement is allowed by the entry of the deep not-ch 20 on. the stop 21. To

reverse this operation, it is necessary to thrust down the handle 23 thus disengaging the notch from the stop 21, and to pull outwardly to swing the end member to itsangular position, wherein it is fixed by the subsequent registry of the shallow notch 19 with. said stop. The end 15 operates similarly and is shown in Fig. 2 in its vertical locked position.

means preferably taking the .form of de- In pursuance of still another objectof the.

vices by which the width of the tray is accommodated to cards or other record members of different lateral extent, so that the tray is extensible both in length and breadth.

T o attain the above purpose, there is provided a pair of telescopic abutments A and A each consisting of a two-part rod'comprising the members 31, 32 and 31, 32 respectively. The member 31 of A is connected to the end 15 by a threaded angle bracket 33 which has a nut 34 adapted to engage an upright flange 28 of the end member to limit inward movement of the abutment. A coil spring 36 cooperating with the'flange 28 and a nut 35 tends constantly to hold the abutment in place. The nut 35 can be adjustedto regulate the tension of the spring. The member 32 of the abutment 'A" may be connected to the end member 14in the same manner as the member 81 above described, that is, a threaded end portion 33 thereof may be bent at right-angles and connected to the end'member 14 through the upright flange 28'. Nuts 84 and 35 and aspiring 36 are provided to maintain and adj ustably position the abutment. By changing the position of the nuts and the record members so returned will drop down behind the abutment A without the need for any special care in manipulation, as the abutment A is high enough to. prevent over-running by the record members when so returned.

As above described, the abutment A also has a two-part rod comprising members 31' and 32 Headed angle pieces 37 provided on each member 31 and 32' arefitted loosely in threaded eye-bolts 38 mounted in the end fianges28 and held adjustably by nuts 39 and 39. By this arrangement the abutment A" can be swung outwardly to permit the cards to be shifted into offsetting position. Also, by changing positions of the nuts 39, 89 the degree of projection of the abutment A may be varied. I

To facilitate smooth telescopic adjustment of the parts of the tray, I haveshown in Figures 2 andS roller-bearing devices. These comprise rolls a mounted on a shaft 7) carried by one ofthe sliding members f the false bottom and running on thebase member 2.

Other rollers c are provided mounted in bearings (Z on the upperpart of member 7 and exthe parts designated by the reference numilk erals L1 and 42 respectively are telescoping base members formed of" sheet-metal, preferably aluminum, the former comprising an elongated box-lilz structure of rectangular transverse section. The sheet-metal is shown as bent longitudinally to form a bottom wall l1..,side walls 43 and upper wall portions 4% which constitute parts of the base on which the lower margins of. the record members are supported; The other base member 42 is also rectangular in cross-section, the sheetmetal being bent longitudinally to form a bottom wall 42, side walls 43 and a top wall 45 which also serves as, part of the base to support the record. members. At 46 the metal of the top wall 45 israised, to about the level of .the overlapping portions. 44 of the first described base member so that, when the telescoping base members'are extended, the record members are supported at a substantially uniform level.

To permit ready and positive movement of the base members longitudinally relativ ly to each other, there is provided a lead screw 48 having threaded engagement with block 4c9ZfiXed. tothe base member 42, and having swivelled engagement with block 50 fixed to base member ll. At 51 the lead screwhas a squared end adapted to be fitted with a key 12 (see Figure 2) for the purpose of effecting the desired adjustment, this key being insertable through a suitable aperture 58 at the lower end of one of the end members now. to be described.

End members 5% and 55 are provided, formed of'sheet metal preferably, and connected pivotally at 56 and 56 to the side -walls 43 and 43 of the base members respectively. The end member 5% is pivoted on the base member &1 and the end member 55 ispivoted on the base member l2. In Figure. 5 the end member 5-1 is shown in full lines in an upright position and in dot and sliding latch device for each of the end members. Each of these devices includes a sliding plate 57 with a transverse bracket 58 (seeFigure 7 carrying latches 59which project upward and are adapted to cooperate with lugs 60 formed on the adjacent end of the top portions 44 of the base member 41.

These lugs 60'project through holes 61 (seev Figure- 11) in the end member and have downwardly extending flanges 62. They are also provided with openings (53 to receive the latches 59 as indicated in the dot-anddash line position of the end member 5% shown in Figure 11. The end member is thereby held in its upright position until the slide 57 is depressed, carrying down with it the latches when the end member may be swung around its pivot until the latch 59 abuts against the flange ($2, and the end 5i is thereby held against further movement.

To facilitate manual actuation of the latches, each slide 57 is preferably provided with a handle G-l (see Figures 5 and i) and these handles serve means to lift the tray bodily. lVhen so lifted, the tendency of the upward draft is to swing the. ends around their pivots 56 and to cause the latches 59 to enter the holes 33, the latches being beveled to aid such entry.

In order to insure such entry and to hold the latches in this position, the latch plates 57 are preferably provided with means tending normally to press them upward. A convenient device for this purpose is shown in the compression springs 65 coiled upon posts 66 which extend between lugs (57 and (59 formed upon the end member and slide respectively, the action of the spring against the lug 67 being normally to force the slide upward. The post also traverses another lug 68 upon the slide and aids to maintain the slide in position upon the end and also to guide it in its sliding movement. These parts are preferably enclosed by a. face plate 70 secured to the end member by screws 71.

The modified form of the invention includes also the provision of improved abutment devices for limiting the lateral. shifting of the record membe s. [it the respective sides of the tray I have shown telescopic devices A and A comprising for the device A a rod 78. and sleeve Tl having elbows 76 connecting them with the tray ends 5 1 and 55 respectively. The preferred structure of the elbow connections is shown best in Figures 9, 10 and 11. For the device A they comprise the elbow oroper 76 and a threaded bushing 77 which is screwed into the *all of the end member and is held by a nut 79 either in the position shown in Figure 9 or in a more extended position such as that shown in Figure 10, where a similar bushing 77 is provided for the device A. Figure 9 shows the elbow connection for the abutment device A as having also a latch 82 mounted in a slot 81 of the elbow 76 by which the elbow and its connected rod and sleeve abutment members may be retained in a position suiliciently extended to permit the record members to be shifted late'ally for offsetthe latch. A thumb piece 86 permits easy actuation of the latch to release the abutment forv inward movement, when desired. A shoulder 87 limits the downward movement of the thumb piece.

When the abutment device A is in the position shown in Figure 9, the record members may be shifted laterally to contact with the sleeve '74 and rod 73, such members serving to insure uniform lateral positioning of relatively small number of record. members.

This device comprises a partition 90 having at its bottom projections 91 adapted to enter suitable slot 92 in the base member as. To hold the partition 90 in upright position, arms 93 are provided having elbows 94 connected with the flanges 95 as shown in Figure 8 by screws 96. The arms 93 have also elbows 97 entering suitable apertures 98 in the flanges 88 of the end member 55.

When not in use the partition 90 may be swung up and out of the tray as indicated by the arrow 99 in Figure 5. When the end member 55 is tilted, the partition 90 will be tilted with it so thatv the record members between the partition 90 and the end member 54 may be tilted for observation in the usual manner. v

It will be clear from the above description in connection with the drawings that the expansible tray forming the subject of this de scription is strong, light, compact, easily adjusted and operated, and lends itself to rapid use and ready transportation to and from the points of consultation and storage.

Since it is obvious that various changes may be made without departing from the invention, it is to be understood that the in vention is not limited to the specific details above described except as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1; An extensible tray for record files, said tray comprising a plurality of base members assembled in telescopic relation and adapted to support varying numbers of record members, means to move said base members telescopically to vary the length of said tray and to hold said base members in selected relative position, end members each mounted pivotally on one of said base members, and

devices to lock 'said end members in upright and inclined positions respectively.-

2. An extensible tray for record files, said clined positionsrespectively, said end mem- I bers havlng lifting handles connected'operatively with said locking devices.

3. An extensible'tray for record files, said tray comprising a plurality of base members assembled in telescopic relation and adapted to support varying numbers of'record members, means to move said base members telescopically to vary the length of said tray and to hold said base members in selected relative position, end members each mounted pivotally on one of said base members, and devices to lock end members in'upright and inclined positions respectively, said end members having lifting handles connected operatively with said locking devices and'yielding means tending normally. tomove said looking devices into their respective locking positions. V

l. An extensible tray for record files, said tray comprising a plurality of basel members assembled in telescopic relation and adapted to support varying numbers of record members, means to move said base members telescopically to vary the length of said tray and to hold said base members in selected relative position, end members each mounted pivotally on one of said base members, and devices to lock said end members in upright and inclined'positions respectively, said end members having lifting handles connected operatively with said locking devices and means tending normally to move said lockin devicesinto their respective locking positions, said handles bein adapted for manual actuation to release said locking devices and permit. said en d members to, swing into inclined position, whereby said'record members may be separated at their upper margins for inspection. 5. A extensible tray for record. files, said tray comprising a-plura-lity of base mem-- bers assembled in telescopic relation and adapted to support varying numbers of recordmembers, meansto move said base mema bers telescopically to vary the length of said tray and to hold said base members in selected relative position, end members each mounted pivotally on one of saidbase members, and devices to lock' said end members in upright and inclined positions respectively, said end members having lifting handles connected operatively with said locking devices and means tending normally to move said locking devices into their respective locking positions, said handles being adapted for manual actuation to release said locking devices and permit said end members to swing intoinclined position, whereby said record members may be separated at their upper margins for inspection, said handles acting when said tray is lifted to move said end members into their upright positions automatically.

6. An extensible tray for record files, said tray comprising a base adapted to supportvarying numbers of record members, and end members, mounted at the ends of said base and normally retaining said record members in a vertical position, one or" said end members mounted pivotally on said base and adapted to swing into an inclined position to permit said record members to be tilted for consultation, and a handle on said pivoted end member acting when said tray is lifted to move said pivotally mounted end member into an upright position automatically.

7. In an extensible tray for record files, a plurality of base members assembled in telescopic relation and adapted to support varying numbers of record members, means to move said base members telescopically to vary the length of said tray, and means extending along each side of said tray and adjustable to vary the effective width of the tray.

8. In an extensible tray for record files,

I a plurality of base members assembled in telescopic relation and adapted to support varying numbers of record members, means to move said base members telescopically to vary the length of said tray, and means to vary the efiective width of said tray including telescoping abutment devices supported extensibly along each side of said base members.

9. An extensible tray for record files, said tray including a plurality of base members assembled in telescopic relation and adapted to support varying numbers of record members, means to move said base members telescopically to vary the effective length of said tray, and means to vary the width of said tray including telescoping abutment devices supported for lateral adjustment along each side of said base members, said abutments being respectively adapted to hold said record members in a predetermined position relatively to said base members, and one of said abutment devices being so located as to permit optional lateral movement of said record members to one side beyond the same.

10. An extensible tray for record files, said tray comprising a plurality of base members assembled in telescopic relation and adapted to support varying numbers of-record members, means to move said base members telescopically to vary the length otsaid tray and to hold saidbase members in selected relative position, end members each mounted pivotally on one of saidbase members, and telescoping abutment devices sup ported for lateral adjustment by and between saidendmembers extending along each side of said base members.

11. An extensible tray for record files, said tray comprising a plurality of base members assembled in telescopic relation and adapted to support varying numbers of record members, means to move said base members teleseopically to vary the length of said tray and to hold said base members in selected relative position, end members each mounted pivotally on one of said base members, and telescoping abutment devices mounted on said end members and extending along each side of said base members, and means to vary the lateral position of said abutments relatively to said end members.

'12. An extensible tray for record files comprising a base, end members connected to said base, abutment devices extending along the sides of the base, means to connect said abutment devices to said end members, said connecting means being adjustable to vary the distance between said abutments whereby the effective Width of the tray may be varied.

13. An extensible tray for record files comprising a plurality of base members arranged in adjustable relation with each other, means to move said members to vary the length of said tray, end members connected to said base members, abutment devices extending along the sides of the base members and connected to said end members, and means to adjust said abutment devices laterally to vary the distance therebetween.

14. An extensible tray forrecord files comprising a plurality of base members arranged in adjustable relation to each other, means to move said base members to vary the length of said tray, end members connected to said base members, abutment devices connected to said end members, said abutments being coextensible with said base members and laterally adjustable to vary the distance relative to each other.

15. An extensible tray for record files c0mprising a base, end membcrsconnected to said base, abutment devices carried by said end members at each side of said tray, and means permitting one of said abutment devices to be extended outwardly to permit otl'setting the sheets for posting.

16. An extensible tray for record files comprising a plurality of base members arranged in adjustable relation to each other, means to move said members to vary the length of the tray, abutment devices disposed on each "6 V v v 1,817,073

side of said tray, means to adjust said abutment devices laterally to vary the effective Width of the tray, one of said abutment mem bers being slidably mounted for lateral movement relative to the sides of said tray.

In testimony whereof, Ihave affixed my signature to this specification.

ELMER W. DAVIS. 

